Indeed, Arthur's hand had met her face numerous times, leaving physical and emotional marks.
"At least those barbarians saved the kingdom! You and your fancy castle are still here today because those barbarians were willing to cross vast lands and seas to give our kingdom protection!" Sophia calmly responded.
"With a price!" Arthur snapped. "They helped us at a price we had to pay! They took as many girls as they wanted, fucked them, and then who knew what happened to them! You defend them like they're the good guys! Hhh seriously! What fool would sacrifice his life for nothing!"
Sophia was silent. "What does that mean?" She didn't know about the deal. King Reinald had only told her that he agreed with Sophia's idea to build a coalition with Gamaaloth and that the negotiations were going well.
"Gamaaloths never married. They used to bed prostitutes and mistresses, impregnated them, and then took their children. It's something your clan was used to. They had sex only for the purpose of procreating, like livestock! So that you know that!"
"Wha-what?"
"After the war is over, the Gamaaloth army will get a healer clan as a war reward. While the nobles of Gamaaloth will get any noblewoman they liked. You're defending a monster, Sophia!"
Sophia fell to the floor, imagining that her sisters would be used as war wages. They had fought desperately on the battlefield, but still, Cescil treated his clan like whores.
"Did Father... I mean, did King Reinald agree to this deal?" Sophia asked, her voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and sorrow.
Arthur nodded, his expression filled with resignation. "The Queen Mother orchestrated the agreement, and King Reinald, as he often did, simply went along with it."
Sophia had tears in her eyes. Had her idea unknowingly led to the downfall of her clan? Oh, what would become of her sisters in the healer clan? Gamaaloths didn't make a good impression in treating women either.
"You should be thankful that I married you, so you survived this deal," Arthur said coldly, standing tall before the kneeling Sophia. He didn't care that she looked like she was worshipping him.
"Tomorrow, 15 supply trains of food and medicine will leave with you. It's not free. I'm asking for payment. I want you to get pregnant. I don't care how. I want the rumors that I am infertile to stop spreading." He said coldly. "I'll be back for dinner with my friends."
He left the room and left Sophia alone.
How could she get pregnant if not once, since their marriage two years ago, had Arthur touched her?
Arthur kept demanding that she get pregnant without ever touching her. Did he think a healer had the ability to impregnate herself?
***
Desperation hung heavy in the air as the dire state of Cescils' supplies became painfully evident. With each passing day, their provisions dwindled, leaving them with too many mouths to feed and a growing sense of uncertainty. The wounded soldiers, already weakened by battle, struggled to heal without sufficient nourishment.
The sight of the damaged ships, once symbols of hope and mobility, now stood as stark reminders of their predicament. The vast sea taunted them, unattainable and inaccessible. The nearest forest, their potential source of sustenance, remained a distant and elusive refuge, miles away from their desperate camp.
They were totally dependent on Lady Sophia's return and the generosity of Sir Arthur George, Lady Sophia's husband - may their marriage last forever and be blessed with children soon.
Rumor had spread that Sir Arthur was infertile because healers were known for strong and fertile wombs. They usually only needed to have intercourse once to have offspring.
Since yesterday, the healers in Cescil had been enduring severe food shortages. Their meager ration consisted of only a single loaf of bread per day, leaving them feeling weak and vulnerable. Desperation drove them to forage for wild leaves and whatever sustenance they could find within the camp.
Meanwhile, the soldiers, including the voracious Gamaaloth warriors, had received their rations. However, this time the provisions were meager, consisting of a clay pot soup that was mostly diluted with water and lacking in substantial meat and vegetables. It was clear that measures needed to be taken to conserve the dwindling food supply.
Within the confines of Cescils' camp, careful calculations were made to assess the remaining food reserves. The urgency to stretch every morsel became apparent as the reality of scarcity loomed over them. Every grain counted, and strategies for rationing were implemented to ensure that sustenance could be sustained for as long as possible.
Cescils fell into a tense silence as the ravenous Gamaaloth, Uzana, stormed into the tent. The healer girls, their faces etched with fear, instinctively shuffled to the edge of the tent, creating a cautious distance between themselves and the towering beast.
Adeline stood her ground, her eyes fixed on Uzana. She had noticed the reddish hue on the hem of his fur coat, a telltale sign of his dissent regarding the limited food supply. Uzana had been known to voice his concerns more vehemently than others, and his hunger seemed to push him to the edge.
"You only sent one clay pot of boiled water to our tent. Do you think our big bodies and muscles are just empty air?" Uzana's voice resonated with frustration, his words laced with indignation. The Gamaaloth warrior towered over Adeline, his imposing presence a stark reminder of the physical demands his body required.
Adeline sighed, her brows furrowing as she considered Uzana's words. She recognized the validity of his concerns but also knew the delicate balance they were trying to maintain. She responded with a calm yet determined tone, choosing her words carefully to convey her message while showing respect.
"Can't you and your people... hm," Adeline paused, searching for the right words that would sound polite yet convey her meaning clearly, "exercise patience? We are facing scarcity, and we are all feeling the hunger. It is not a matter of weakness but a test of our collective strength and resilience."
Uzana's gaze hardened, his eyes narrowing in skepticism. He scoffed, shaking his head while adjusting the belt around his waist. "Be patient because of what? We are brave and strong people, but not patient ones. Patience is reserved for those who lack the power to fight back. Are you implying that you, a healer, are the one who possesses such patience?"
Insolent. How could he say anything else? Healers have been taught to be patient and accepting from birth because they have no power to fight against the existing system.
Uzana's eyes looked around the tent. He stared at the food supply records lying below, then at the healer girls sitting huddled at the edge. Most of them were still clutching the leaves they had snacked on earlier.
"Oh!" Uzana looked at Adeline. "You should have just told me. But I can't blame you. You have a very small brain." He said as he walked away.
"Small brain, what???!!!!"
***
In the midst of
a bustling mid-afternoon in the camp, the kitchen was abuzz with activity as the diligent cooks began their preparations.
However, a sudden wave of murmurs and exclamations rippled through the air, capturing the attention of those present.
The commotion stemmed from the sight of six colossal Gamaaloths gracefully making their way towards the kitchen tent.
Their enormous frames commanded attention as they approached, each one bearing the weight of their impressive hunt. The animals they carried, ones unfamiliar to the camp, left everyone awestruck and filled with wonder.
One by one, the mighty Gamaaloths gently released their spoils, carefully placing them in front of the tent.
The ground trembled beneath the weight of their offering, creating a surreal tableau before the astonished onlookers.
Three majestic wild boars, their powerful tusks gleaming in the sunlight, lay side by side with their muscular bodies.
Alongside them, three large, plump deer exuded vitality and health, their vibrant coats a testament to the abundant wilderness from which they came.
Silence enveloped the area as people absorbed the significance of this unexpected bounty. Whispers of gratitude and disbelief circulated through the crowd, mingling with a sense of reverence for the Gamaaloths' prowess.
The animals, once thriving in their natural habitat, now served as sustenance for the camp, a gift from nature itself.
Ragnar, the imposing warlord among the Gamaaloths, turned his gaze towards Adeline, his voice laced with curiosity. "Where is the little woman who is said to be the leader of your clan?"
Adeline, maintaining her composure, responded calmly. "She is currently in the capital, Everkeep."
Her composed demeanor surprised the other healer girls, who marveled at Adeline's apparent fearlessness in the presence of the Gamaaloths.
Adeline, however, was merely emulating Lady Sophia, taking inspiration from her fearless nature. Inside, she felt the same apprehension as anyone else.
Ragnar continued his questioning. "Is she enjoying herself in the capital while there is no war at the moment?"
Adeline explained, her voice steady. "Lady Sophia is overseeing the delivery of food supplies, medicine, and other essential matters. With many of our soldiers severely injured and various unresolved issues, she had to take charge of managing them in the capital."
Ragnar's response was a mixture of surprise and acknowledgment. "Oh, that's impressive. Your little brains can handle such complex tasks as well."
Adeline couldn't help but feel a twinge of belittlement despite Ragnar's words. The intention behind his remark remained ambiguous.
Ragnar shifted his focus and conveyed his message. "Inform Lady Sophia that the responsibility of hunting will now be taken over by the Gamaaloths. We have dragons that can swiftly transport us to the nearest forest within minutes. The lands of Cescil are rich and abundant, unlike our own, making it easy for us to procure game here." He punctuated his statement by running his hand along the hilt of his sword, a signature Ragnar gesture.
As the Gamaaloths efficiently skinned the freshly hunted game, the significance of the bountiful harvest became evident. The amount of game procured could sustain the clan for an entire week.
"In Gamaaloth, we never let women starve to death. Cescil is no different. How despicable!" Ragnar's voice resonated with disdain as he cast a stern gaze towards the group of men nearby before making his way back to his camp.
Uzana, carrying a boar on his shoulder, glanced at the healer girls with a dismissive smirk. "You girls can finally stop nibbling on leaves like cattle goats. Feeding time just got a whole lot better."
He playfully tossed his boar into the pile, adding to the growing collection. "And do tell your little arrogant friend that next time, she should use her tiny mouth to express her difficulties instead of muttering incomprehensibly." His eyes locked onto Adeline.
The healer girls erupted in laughter, finding Uzana's remark amusing.
***